Wichita eagle., 1887-09-21
THE NEW YORK ANARCHISTS.

Monday night Cooper Union was packed
with anarchists and socialists The audi
ence numbered $500, and assembled to
protest against the hanging OF the con-
demned Chicago anarchists. 1t Is said
there were many women In the hall and
they all wore red ribbons and effected the
red anarchists color In their dresses. On
the platform were Herr Most, Walter
Vrooman, Col Hinton of the Leader, Mrs.
Black, Mrs. Bandish and two hundred
others. Vrooman was chosen chairman.
In his opening speech he quoted the bible
to show Moses slew man whom he found
committing wrong. Vrooman continued
by saying that If the Chicago brethren had
said anything that was wrong 1t
was no reason why they should hang.
eff they hang those men in Chicago,
then," he added, "they can hang every
man who speaks here tonight" Vrooman
presented set of resolutions at the close
Of his speech, which met with the approval
of the crowd. They condemned the SEN
tence of the anarchists as murder and a
crime against civiNzation-the elimination
of conspiracy to crush free speech. The
workingmen of America would be untrue
to themselves if they allowed such an out
rage to be perpetrated. A contribution
followed from the audience, netting 5000
for the cause. Herr Most made his usual
infammatory harangue, which was re-
ceiyed with yells of applause and delight.
This proceeding presents a problem
which at once arrests the attention of every
thinking, rejecting citizen who reads it.
1t is whether or not, after all our boosted
freedom of speech and liberty Of action
the matter of granting these privileges by
the fundamental law of the land was not
something of mistake, since the great
blessing intended to be vouchsafed In those
privileges have proven to be susceptible OF
such gross perversion.
That there has been grievous mistake
somewhere there can be no question, but
we think it has been In the matter Of hith-
erto unrestricted immigration rather than
in the privileges accorded the citizen. The
question of anarchism in this country is so
far serious only In the fact Of Its existence.
Nor do we feel any particular apprehension
for the future if the law of the land
Is upheld and enforced In Its
dealings with crimes and Grim
inals, especially with that class under dis
cussion, and 1t now appears that the bur
then of the infracted law in such cases will
fall upon those who come under 1t with full
force.
Expressions such as were INDUCED In at
the Cooper Union meeting are exasperating
1t is true, and especially SO In view of the
present strained condition of popular feel
ing In the matter. but such expressions I'M
a accompanied by an overt act can produce no
harmful effect upon the community. The
parties using the language quoted and
those who endorse 1t In a public way must
be the sufferers since 1t places them under
the ban of good society and makes them
not only subjects Of lothing and contempt
by all good citizens, but brings upon them
the surveillance of officers of the law and
causes them to be watched in their every
Their little game Of bluff can't win and
as soon as the seven martyrs to the cause,
as they are pleased to term them, shall
have paid the genalty Of their folly and
their crimes such incidents as the Cooper
Union meeting will speedily lapse into In
nocous dessutude.